Michael Barnes

I could do a short review along the lines of 'people died' So it goes. Which trust me if you had read the book - would make sense. I understand it is a classic and certainly the non linear narrative fits the story within the story, and the aspects of meta narrative employed eg the author appearing in the story for 1969 would have been remarkable. It was a bookclub choice so I am grateful that it meant I have read another significant piece of modern western literature. I recall I watched the movie that was made of this and being more excited about the science fiction aspects.

I was introduced to Ilsa J. Bick's Ashes Trilogy by a couple of bookclubers (thanks Amanda and Greta) and it was a welcome suggestion. I am a fan of the zombie genre, looking over my books on Goodreads I have read fourteen zombie novels and series and this is certainly one of the first zombie novels in a series leaving me keen to launch straight into the second. That cliff hanger. The last time that happened was Mira grant's Feed and I have to wait a year before the next book dropped. This is much better since Shadows has been published (though it is currently on loan at my library).

Kirus reviews sums it up well "Splendidly paced apocalyptic zombie horror ends with a thrilling, terrifying cliffhanger and a number of unresolved mysteries"

A young adult novel very much in demand at my library. When it was chosen at the previous bookclub a month back I was No 12 on the list. By the weekend before book club I was down to No 6 which speaks to its popularity for a book published in 2005.

More lyrical than I expected - haven't read much WWII set in Germany literature. My exposure has been more Thomas Keneally 'Schindler's list', Primo Levi's 'If This Is a Man', and Art Spiegelman 'Maus'.

I was intrigued by the use of a philosophical, sentimental, melancholy grim reaper as the narrator, giving it a more resonant 3rd person perspective. Death was able to provide some of the more reflections, “I am haunted by humans.” "I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn’t already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race—that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant.

This big, (552 pages depending on edition and font size) expansive novel is a leisurely working out of fate, of seemingly chance encounters and events that ultimately touch, like dominoes as they collide. The writing is elegant, philosophical and moving. I have read a few reviews that recommend it is to be read slowly and savored. Sorry not really my thing but I can understand why it was so well regarded.

“We are clairvoyants, Dr Nygård. We are the keepers of truth, the guardians of the future; the bridge between the living and the dead, the mundane and the divine.”

“The Bone Season” is set in London, the year 2059. It follows Paige Mahoney, not only is she high ranking in the criminal underworld but she is also a rare clairvoyant – might I mention that both of these are treasonous under Scion Law! She is then arrested for murder and held captive in Oxford where she has to decide if she should trust her enemy in order to escape…

“If your hope is alive, so are you.”

This book has a bit of everything! The rebellion and revolution of a dystopian novel, supernatural creatures from another world, and a magical deep dive into the different kinds of clairvoyancy.

The characters were unique and the focus on character development for Paige was an excellent narrative choice allowing us to understand this future alternative earth without clunky exposition. Equally crafted was the mysterious Arcturus.

Shannon’s world-building was detailed and intriguing. One of my favourite things about this book was that there was a constant flow of information – never a slow moment!

“I want to remind them that if you leave one spark aglow, it can still burn everything down.”

I was immediately impressed by Girls of Paper and Fire as in the first pages it includes trigger warnings and a list of support services. The author herself in these pages warns readers that the book deals with issues of violence and sexual assault, allowing readers to decide before even starting to read if this is the book for them. Seeing it at the beginning of this book gave me confidence these topics would be handled respectfully.

There is internalized misogyny throughout the story dealt with genuinely, treating all parties as people who have value despite their flaws. Girls are not written off as merely jealous or petty — they are given reasons for the ways in which they act.

The protagonist, Lei, goes through character development throughout the story. She’s extremely likable despite some frustrating qualities. You want her to succeed. She’s strong and courageous, but also weary and at times frightened. First and foremost she is human, making human choices and thinking human thoughts. Because of it, she sometimes does things that infuriate you. Like with all the characters, it’s refreshing that she’s allowed to have flaws and make mistakes without immediately being labelled a failure or worthless by the narrative. She’s allowed to grow and learn.

There is all so some spice in the primary relationship.

Certainly looking forward to reading the next novel in the trilogy Girls of Storm and Shadow.